Thrivent Magazine · David Royal is chief investment ofmcer at Thrivent. The views expressed are as...

Summer 2020

Thrivent Magazine

5 Ways to Stress Less About MoneyPage 9

Updating Your Financial Strategy4

Protecting Against Financial FraudPage 18

When Love and Money Come TogetherFinancial advice for newlywedsPage 24

Thrivent Magazine | Summer 2020

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“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 ESV

Joy

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Thrive 4 Myth Buster

5 Market Outlook

6 Member Spotlight

7 Generosity in Action

8 How Does Term Insurance Work?

9 5 Ways to Cope with Financial Anxiety

10 Summer Service Activities

12 Our New Brand

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What’s Happeningat Thrivent¡ Thrivent’s response to COVID-19¡ New CCO joins Thrivent¡ Introducing new board members¡ AM Best reaffirms financial strength 32 Just for fun

On the cover: Illustration by David Saracino

Features

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24 When Love and Money Come TogetherStrategies for newlyweds to establish a solid financial future.

14 A Strategy in the Storm Create or update your financial strategy.

18 On GuardHow financial fraud works and what you can do to prevent it.

22 Unexpected SummerHave fun close to home.

Summer 2020Volume 118, No. 695

2 | Thrivent Magazine | Summer 2020

Moving ForwardA plan. We make plans all the time. A plan for the day; for the year. A financial plan. A plan to unveil a new brand. But you know that old saying about the best laid plans… We didn’t know it yet, but when I wrote my welcome letter to you for the Spring issue of Thrivent Magazine, our world was on the cusp of a global pandemic and heartbreaking civil unrest. I don’t think any of us could’ve imagined what has followed. At Thrivent, we had long planned to share exciting news about our new, modernized brand. As we thought about the timing, we concluded our organization is needed—perhaps now more than ever. And so, we’re enthusiastically moving forward with launching our new brand. The brand change goes much deeper than a new logo. It’s a purposeful way of thinking, driven by our promise to help you achieve financial clarity. So you can make the most of all God has given you. We hope you’ll sense the reinvigorated way we’re keeping you, our client, at the center of all we do. Our transformation takes into account the rapidly evolving financial services landscape. Advances in technology, changing client needs and a demand for holistic financial services are driving us to reimagine how we’ll

serve you and your loved ones now and in years to come. Through it all, we’re staying true to what has made us special for more than 100 years—continuing to serve you as you make financial decisions guided by your faith. As you read the following pages, I hope you’ll experience our new brand coming to life. That you’ll feel a greater sense of financial clarity. That you’ll feel inspired to be generous. And that as a result, you’ll find yourself living a fuller, more meaningful life. And about that plan for your finances: Regardless of what’s happening in the world around us, our promise to you remains. We’re here to serve you in any way we can.

Take care,

Teresa J. RasmussenPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Welcome

Thrivent (ISSN 1539-0128) is the official publication of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI 54919-0001/Minneapolis, MN 55415-1624, a fraternal benefit society. It is published quarterly by the society.

Periodical postage paid at Appleton, Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Thrivent Magazine, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, 4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919-0001. Phone: 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836). Copyright 2020 by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. All rights reserved.

Board of DirectorsBonnie E. Raquet ChairWilliamsburg, VA Deborah M. AckermanWilmette, IL

N. Cornell Boggs Ludington, MI Kenneth A. Carow Greenwood, IN Bradford N. Creswell Mercer Island, WA Lynn Crump-Caine Sandy Springs, GA Eric J. Draut Arlington Heights, IL Kirk D. Farney Hinsdale, IL Rev. Mark A. Jeske Milwaukee, WI Frederick G. Kraegel Henrico, VA Kathryn V. Marinello Bonita Springs, FL Nichole B. Pechet San Francisco, CA Teresa J. Rasmussen President and CEO Orono, MN Angela S. RiegerMadison, WI

Thrivent ® Magazine StaffCallie Briese

Executive Editor

Donna Hein

Editor

Jon Goodrich

Editorial Assistant

Content Strategy and PublishingAnya Britzius

Senior Content

Strategist

Bret Ryan

Senior Art Director

Rebecca Lubecki

Associate Editor

Molly Bennett

Senior Content

Director

Tina Gschlecht

Senior Project

Manager

Jonathan Benson

Production

Manager

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ThriveInsights and Inspirations

Still GivingTornado levels Tennessee sanctuary, but it hasn't stopped the church from helping othersBy Donna Hein Photo by Savannah DeAnn (Continued on page 4)

Just a week after a tornado leveled the sanctuary of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donelson, Tennessee, members of the church gathered to pack more than 350 food bags at Two Rivers Middle School. St. John’s has partnered with the nearby school in the Nashville suburb for several years, and they had scheduled this Thrivent Action Team activity to be ready for the school’s spring break, says Rev. Rick Roberts, pastor at St. John’s. Despite the damage, members remained committed to help their neighbors. “We are the church,” Roberts says. “And we’re going to continue to reach out, even as small as we are, to help others.”

Rev. Rick Roberts, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church, stands strong after a tornado.


Roberts was awake and messaging members in the church’s neighborhood after the tornado went through early in the morning of March 3. “I was getting responses back that power had gone out but everything else was OK,” he says. “And then I got the phone call…the sanctuary took a direct hit.” The Saturday after the tornado, more than 100 people from the community came out to help with cleanup. A couple of Lutheran churches provided lunch. “It was like the story of the loaves and fishes,” Roberts says with a chuckle. “They brought food and it just kept multiply-ing. And all were well fed.” While the church sanctuary was leveled, the original building from 1962 had little structural damage. More evaluation will determine what can be salvaged and what can’t be. There isn’t a time frame yet for rebuilding. St. John’s is a small church—about 100 people worship together on Sundays—but it has a big heart. In the weeks after the tornado, in addition to packing the food bags, another scheduled Thrivent Action Team packed and donated about 1,000 women’s hygiene products. “We also do Blessings Bags for members to take and give to homeless people they see,” Roberts says. He believes that God works through people because of how they have experienced God in their lives, and as people recognize that, it will make a great difference in the world. “There are so many stories of people helping us through this and it inspires us,” Roberts says. “We’re going to keep doing what we’re called to do as a church, to help others in the midst of tornadoes, COVID-19, or whatever else comes along.”

(Still Giving continued from page 3)

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You may have heard the old adage: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. There’s a lot of wisdom in these words. “As we get older, and especially later in life, our goals may shift, especially when it comes to our retirement savings,” says Gene Elder, a Thrivent financial professional in Loveland, Colorado. “But it’s never too late to set them.” Elder identifies two paths to goal setting that people need to consider as they age. The first is: Will you have enough in retirement? The second is: What legacy—which can be financial or the values that guide you—do you want to leave? If you don’t know if you’re financially on track for retirement, or if you feel like you may not be, this is the perfect time to thoughtfully reflect on your values and

Myth: It’s too late to set financial goals.By Donna Hein

Editor’s Note: Our Spring 2020 issue of Thrivent Magazine featured the article Personal Finance Myths—Busted, which took a closer look at five personal finance myths. Do you have a money myth you want busted? Send your ideas to [email protected].

Thrivent Named to Fortune 500 ListFor the 26th consecutive year, Thrivent has been named to Fortune magazine’s Fortune 500 list. Thrivent is listed as the 368th largest company in America on the 2020 list. The ranking was based on Thrivent’s 2019 revenue of $8.6 billion. Thrivent is also the 14th largest company headquartered in Minnesota. To determine ranking on the list, Fortune uses total revenues from the previous fiscal year. Thrivent’s movement on the list is based on its total revenues compared to other companies across various industries with various growth rates, and its position can fluctuate from year to year.

priorities. “By setting goals, you have a roadmap to get there as efficiently and frustration-free as possible,” Elder says. “If you don’t know what’s happening with your money, if you have no plan, you’re going to worry every day if you’re doing it right. If you know where you’re at, it’s a lot less stressful.”

Myth Buster

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In These Volatile Markets, It’s Best to Stick to a Long-term Asset AllocationBy David Royal

Market Outlook

David Royal is chief investment officer at Thrivent.

The views expressed are as May 29, 2020, and may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views expressed by other Thrivent Asset Management associates. Actual investment decisions made by Thrivent Asset Management, LLC will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or product.

Asset management services are provided by Thrivent Asset Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Thrivent, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

In my last column in the Spring issue, I noted that in late 2019 and early 2020, the stock market had experienced one of the longest periods in history without a 2% drop. I cautioned against complacency. No one could have predicted the events of the past couple months, but volatility has certainly returned. We not only saw massive stock declines, but in late March, we also saw the biggest three-day jump in the market ever. During this volatile period, many investors flocked to the relative safety of money market funds. However, now that the Federal Reserve has cut short-term interest rates, money market

funds’ yields have evaporated. Several trillion dollars has been sitting on the sidelines earning next to nothing, but where will that money go? Since the market bottomed, the strongest performing category of stocks has been large-cap growth stocks. This outperformance is what

one might expect in an economy that is weakening. Investors are often willing to pay more for companies with strong balance sheets that can generate growth in a slow economy. One important question is the degree to which the market’s rally from the March low will broaden out to include more economically sensitive stocks. Over the past couple months, we’ve had brief periods in which more cyclical sectors such as manufacturers, financials and energy companies have recovered a bit, but these stocks have yet to show sustained market leadership. It is tremendously difficult to time these types of market rotations, so it’s a good idea to stick to a long-term asset allocation and not try to make big moves in or out of cash or particular types of investments.

“Investors are often willing to pay more for companies with strong balance sheets that can generate growth in a slow economy.”


wife and kids. I love what I’m doing and that I can make a living at it. But what’s next will be more based on family and the time I have with them. Money can’t buy that.

How did you learn about Thrivent?I met [Thrivent financial professional] Shane Knoernschild through my wife; Shane married Whitney’s best friend. And we became best friends. He’s one of the most genuine guys I’ve ever met. I didn’t have a lot of money, and I still don’t. We’re young, and we don’t bring in a regular paycheck. Investing is a scary thing for us. But

the first thing Shane recommended was a life insurance contract. I got it at 25. It had never crossed my mind before then. What does it mean to you to live a life of meaning? My relationship with God is first in everything I do. I am blessed to have family who live the same way. My wife and little girls are important. But I think living a life of meaning also means helping others, especially in my work. If I can help someone not make the same mistakes or bad decisions that I did, it’s a good feeling.

Traveling the Rodeo CircuitProfessional roper shares how he’s living a life of meaning By Donna Hein | Photo by R.J. Hinkle

Although Cole Davison grew up surrounded by horses—his dad was a horse trainer and his mom an equine nutritionist—he didn’t know he’d one day be a successful team roper competing in rodeos across the U.S. and Canada. Yet that’s exactly what the Stephenville, Texas, Thrivent member is doing today. Davison, 31, travels to about 100 rodeos a year, often with his wife Whitney (a barrel racer) and two daughters: Milli, 9, and Letti, 2.

Did you always want to be a roper? Growing up, I didn’t have the means to do this. I worked my way through five years of college, earning a general business degree. I love marketing and how detailed it is. I did some rodeoing on the side, but I didn’t fully commit to it until I left college and knew I could make it work financially.

What’s the hardest thing about your job?It’s the time spent away from my family while traveling. I love family and even though Whitney and the girls can travel with me a lot, I don’t get to see other family members as much as I’d like. There are people who do this until they’re 60, but I’m not going to be that guy because of family.

What’s next in your career?I want to create a better life for my

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What have been your guiding principles around money decisions?I have met some great people, including successful businessmen, while roping. I listen to the older people who have made the mistakes, had the business failures and then turned around and had great things happen. They are men of faith, and their businesses run off principles from the Bible. Those are my guiding principles. I pray and read the bible every morning and evening. I’ve learned to slow down, pray and listen.

What’s the best piece of financialadvice or wisdom you’ve received?Slow down, pray and think about it before you act. This isn’t just in financial matters, but in everyday life.

What’s your earliest memory of money?I was probably 6 years old and my dad and I entered a roping competition. He paid the entrance fees. We won, and I split my winnings of $280 with him. It was $140 my dad helped me get.

What’s your favorite volunteer activity?I was able to do a roping school with wounded warriors recently. There’s a community called Warriors and Rodeo. We did a two-day roping school with 30 guys. We hung out with them. We roped a lot. But even more, we talked a lot.

The client’s experience may not be the sameas other clients and does not indicate futureperformance or success.

Bringing Joy to Children AbroadMason City, Iowa

David Roman, 12, is on a quest to help bring joy to children in Bucaramanga, Colombia, who don’t have toys. Thrivent member Margaret Torkelson spearheaded a Thrivent Action Team to support his goal. David, who lives with his grandparents, Scott Bleier and Luz Jaimes, buys and collects the toys, and has traveled to Bucaramanga twice to give them to the children. He does this in memory of his mom, who grew up there, but was killed in a car accident. Last year, his goal was to visit Colombia during summer vacation. With the help of his grandparents, schoolmates and Trinity Lutheran Church members and staff, David collected more than 300 toys and filled boxes. The Thrivent Action Team helped with sorting, packing and postage to ship the toys to Miami. Scott and Luz took care of the shipment to Colombia. Last August, David flew to Colombia to distribute the toys. David’s uncle, Sergio Roman, captured the joy brought to the Colombian children in a video titled David’s Project Continued 2019. (youtu.be/BY3Zey4A_Sg)

Good question: When planning a vacation, how do you make decisions about how much to spend?We have a 5-to-10-year wish list for trips. We have a 2-year budget cycle for vacations. We plan one big (expensive trip) every other year and shop around to get the best deal on a trip on our spreadsheet and then check it off from the big trip list. Then we fill in generally something each quarter off the little trip list. This lets us maximize our funds but also our time exploring the world, meeting new people, and seeing those we love. Dr. Jay Fiene, Riverside, California

Question for next issue: What’s one thing you learned about living a life of meaning and gratitude during the COVID-19 pandemic? Tell us in 50 words or less at Thrivent.com/share or email [email protected]

My husband and I put away the same amount of money each month for “vacations for us” and another area called “vacation with grandkids.” If we want to go on a more expensive trip, we might need to pull back one year so the money accumulates to pay for it. But never do we spend money that is not already there. A vacation that you have to pay for when you return is not our idea of fun.Greg and Brenda Marshall, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Generosity in Action


“Everybody has their own personal reason why they buy life insurance protection,” says Ryan Schwingler, a life insurance products consultant at Thrivent. When you’re looking for the right fit, having a lot of options can be helpful, but also daunting to sort through. It might help to know that in many situations, term life insurance is a good option to consider. Because it’s for a term, this type of insurance often comes at a lower cost. (More on that below.) While permanent insurance typically lasts for your lifetime, as long as premiums are paid, term insurance covers you for “a specified period of time,” or term, Schwingler explains. You can choose how long you want coverage, with a variety of ranges available. But term insurance is ultimately more flexible than just the time frame, Schwingler adds. And that’s another reason to give it a look.

When does it make sense to choose term life insurance?One example is if you have a need for protection that will go away after a certain time. Say you have 27 years left on a home mortgage, Schwingler says. A 30-year term life insurance contract ensures that your family can make those payments even if you’re gone. Likewise, you might choose a contract to last through your children’s growing up years. Premiums that are typically lower than permanent life insurance is another reason people might choose term insurance. The trade-off is that a term insurance contract does not

accumulate a cash value that you can cash in or borrow against while you’re living, as permanent insurance usually does.1 You could think of term insurance being like renting a home, while permanent insurance is more like buying a home and building equity in it.

How do I know what length of term to choose?It depends on what you want to protect and how long that need will exist. One need to consider, is how to replace your paycheck if you’re gone. “Income replacement tends to be overlooked,” Schwingler says, but it can be important to a family over the longer haul, or for a partner, even in a couple where both people are retired.

If the length of the contract is defined, how is term insurance flexible?You can shorten your term by canceling your contract partway through, Schwingler says. There is

1Loans and surrenders will decrease the death proceeds and the cash surrender value available to pay insurance costs. Surrenders may generate an income tax liability and may be subject to a decrease charge. A significant taxable event can occur if a contract terminates with outstanding debt. Contact your tax advisor for further details. Loans and surrenders may cause a contract to lapse or terminate without value. Loaned values may accumulate at a lower rate than unloaned values.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. thrivent.com/disclosures. Term life insurance contracts have exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits and terms under which the contract may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your licensed insurance agent/producer.

Thrivent does not guarantee that it will issue a life insurance contract for all applicants.

Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Thrivent.

This is a solicitation for insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.

How Does Term Life Insurance Work?By Denise Logeland

no penalty. You may be able to extend your coverage by purchasing a new contract at expiration time, depending on your health. If you are approved for another term life contract, you will have higher premiums in your next term, though, because of your increased age. Thrivent also allows clients to reduce the death benefit throughout the life of the contract, which could reduce the cost of coverage. Another way to extend coverage is to choose a conversion option when you buy your term insurance contract. Adding that option will add to your cost, but you’ll be able to convert your term contract into a permanent life insurance contract if you want to later on, even if you’ve had changes to your health.

Want to learn more about term life insurance? Talk to your Thrivent financial professional or visit thrivent.com/lifeinsurance

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5 Ways to Cope with Financial AnxietyHow to gain control and worry lessBy Rebecca Lubecki

Guards Carry FoodOmaha, Nebraska Thrivent member Sue Ties led a group from the 126th Chemical Battalion U.S. Army National Guard to participate in the “Give Back and Give Thanks” food drive challenge. It was sponsored by Thrivent Member Network–Nebraska Region. The group collected 475 food items and carried them in their packs for more than four hours to donate them to the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.

Food for 40 FamiliesMelbourne, Florida

Instead of purchasing low-cost chrome books with his Thrivent Action Team, as originally intended, Thrivent member Joel Tooley responded to a more pressing need. His team raised more than a $1,000 in a day to buy and pack groceries for 40 nearby migrant farm-working families whose hours had been cut because of COVID-19. Now connected with a wholesaler for food, they hope to help many more families.


3. Remain grateful If you can’t take that vacation or purchase a new car this year, remember that you don’t need either of those things to spend time with family and friends. Try to avoid comparisons with what everyone else is doing. Keep the focus on what truly matters to you.

1. Revisit your budget Life happens—it’s filled with car repairs, health emergencies and other unpredictable events. Veering off from your original budget can cause financial anxiety. Review your budget and consider allocating a certain amount to your emergency fund. Working with a smaller budget is a great way to get creative with the money you do have.

4. Meet with a financial professional Getting an outside opinion from someone who is not biased could help. Set up a meeting with a Thrivent financial professional for expert insight. He or she will help equip you with the resources to help you achieve your goals.

2. Assess the situation Ask yourself some honest questions to try to get to the reason you’re feeling anxious. It’s easy to assume the worst, but step back and really assess the situation. Take a look at what you can control and what you can’t. And then think about options you have.

5. Keep your long-term plan in mind Setbacks are tough, but they don’t mean you won’t achieve your long-term goals. Keeping this in mind will motivate you to ride out any bumps in the road with grace to get back on track.


Summer Service ActivitiesBy Rebecca Lubecki

1. Plant a Community GardenTeaching kids where food comes from is a great lesson. Start a garden with people in your community and donate the fresh produce to those in need.

2. Serve Your NeighborsHelping those around you builds community, encourages kindness and teaches responsibility. Offer to help neighbors with yard work, make them a meal or carry groceries in from their car.

3. Thank Community ServantsIt’s never been more important to show gratitude for those you admire in your community. Write letters or make cards to say “thank you” to those who are continuing to serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can download a few Thrivent “thank you” coloring sheets to share with others at thrivent.com/color.

4. Volunteer at an Animal ShelterIf you have a heart for animals, see if your local animal shelter needs help.

From walking dogs to cleaning kennels, you can have a direct impact on animals who need love and attention. If you’re practicing social distancing, you can still drop off supplies to donate to the animals.

5. Make a Bird FeederNature needs a hand, too. Something as simple as spreading peanut butter on a pinecone and dipping it in birdseed goes a long way for feathered friends.

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Bright Ideas

Looking for ways to keep your kids busy this summer while encouraging them to give back? Here are some ideas to keep them engaged while learning valuable life lessons.

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Love of SewingScottsdale, Arizona

Thrivent member Norma Schwartz led a Thrivent Action Team to get supplies for the Resurrection Lutheran Church quilters. In 10 years, the group made more than 2,700 quilts for local shelters and international relief organizations! During COVID-19, many in the group are sewing face masks at home and dropping them off in a bag on parishioners' doors.

Spreading Goodwill Powell, Wyoming

Thrivent member Linda Fischer led a Thrivent Action Team that filled bags with items like toilet paper, shampoo, detergent, toothpaste and other surprises for people who receive Meals on Wheels. In late March, the group wore gloves and masks, and sanitized all items before filling the bags for the quarterly delivery. They followed the drivers delivering meals and left the bags at their doors.

Connecting Art and Faith By Joanna Reiling Lindell

Ref lecting How have the people and activities in your own community inspired you?

Charles Méryon (French, 1821–1860)

L’Abside de Notre-Dame (The Apse of Notre-Dame, Paris) Etching with engraving and drypoint, c. 1854 Thrivent Collection of Religious Art

Art has a way of transporting us places. French artist Charles Méryon’s lovely view of the apse of Notre Dame Cathedral brings us along the banks of the river Seine in Paris. Here, the grand scale of the cathedral is unavoidable, indeed, emphasized by the activity of boats and horses, and people conducting business on the riverbank. Cathedrals and churches have inspired countless artists to create detailed renderings of the intricate and towering monuments built to worship God in their own communities, and those they visit. These structures were constructed through time as emblems of humanity’s faith and hopes that soar skyward. Architectural buildings can be the central focus of a work of art, and so can the people and surroundings of the structures. Seeing people cross the bridge toward the place of worship, with birds swirling in the sky above the towers, enlivens the scene. This monument is a part of city life, and daily life, not simply an enormous, awe-inspiring structure.

Joanna Reiling Lindell is the director and curator of the Thrivent Collection of Religious Art (thriventcollection.com).


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New Brand Looks to the Future, Honors Our PastBy Lisa Flanary

As you page though this quarter’s issue of Thrivent Magazine, you may have noticed some changes. The redesigned logo, modern design elements and beautiful photography you’re seeing are all part of Thrivent’s new brand, which we began sharing publicly on June 1. While these visual changes are exciting, there’s so much more that you can’t see on these pages. Thrivent is undergoing a transformation. We’re transforming to stay relevant for future generations of Christians. Our new brand is part of that. It’s how we’ll tell the world who we are. Thrivent’s brand includes our new logo design, which honors our past and highlights what makes us special—our heart—while positioning us for the future.

Brand, however, is much more than a logo. It will encompass everything you see, hear and feel when you— and those new to Thrivent—interact with us. We are transforming the way we do business to ensure the experiences you have with Thrivent are better than ever before—from a redesigned website, to new digital tools and streamlined processes that will make things easy for you. Throughout these changes, some things will remain constant and continue to distinguish us. We are driven by a higher purpose—our belief that humanity thrives when people make the most of all they’ve been given from God. And our promise to help you achieve financial clarity, enabling you to live a life full of

Lisa Flanary is senior vice president and chief growth officer at Thrivent.

meaning and gratitude, will not waiver. We’ll continue to serve you as you make financial decisions guided by your faith.

In good times—and challenging timesWhen we first set out to modernize our brand, no one could have imagined that we all would be faced with a global pandemic and heartbreaking civil unrest. Considering everything our clients and communities are now enduring, we wondered—is this still a good time to initiate change? Do we move forward? The answer was simple. Yes. We’re well-positioned to help clients navigate these uncertain times.Through life’s ups and downs, we help people Thrive with Purpose. This focus is even more relevant given today’s environment. People are looking for help and hope. History has shown us that we can grow stronger by facing times of adversity together. Throughout it all—in good times as well as times of great challenge—we’ll be here to help people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Perhaps more now than ever before.

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Lisa Flanary speaks on stage at Thrivent's brand reveal presentation in Arizona.

“We’ll be here to help people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude.”

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On My Mind

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Welcome to Our New BrandWe have reimagined Thrivent’s future, and it is bright! We recently launched a new brand to introduce the organization to the millions of Christians who don’t know us. Our new brand shows how we’re different—how we see money as a tool, not a goal, as you make financial decisions informed by your faith. So you can live a life full of meaning and gratitude. Through our brand, we’re going to tell Thrivent’s story in a new and compelling way. And the central part of that narrative is you. Our hope is that you will experience an organization that’s centered around you and your needs. Whether you’re meeting with one of our knowledgeable financial professionals, investing in mutual funds or managing your accounts online, we want you to have the best experience possible. Here are some of the ways you’ll see Thrivent’s new brand come to life:

Redesigned websiteOur website, thrivent.com, was redesigned to reflect the new brand. More importantly, sites featuring offerings like Thrivent Mutual Funds and Thrivent Credit Union are now housed together—with a single “front door” to welcome you to all that Thrivent has to offer. We hope you’ll find it easier now to connect with us and navigate the breadth of our offerings.

Client-friendly tools and experiencesClients expect modern and simple digital experiences, so we’re delivering. Look for new ways to interact with Thrivent digitally.

New advertising campaign What good is a new brand if you don’t share it with the world? Thrivent will debut a national advertising campaign this summer, across television, digital and other channels, introducing our organization to a new generation. “Thrive with Purpose” will be incorporated throughout the campaign. The idea highlights our unique approach to helping clients build a financial strategy that allows them to use money as a tool to focus on their priorities and goals—to make financial decisions guided by their

faith and pave the way for a future that is clearer and more meaningful.

New logo on buildings, materialsOur new logo honors our past—the warmth of our heart—while coming across in a vibrant, modern way. You’ll start seeing it on buildings, materials, advertising and more. And you’ll have the chance to vote on the new design for the well-loved Live Generously T-shirts, distributed as part of Thrivent Action Teams. Look for details soon on how to cast your vote on thrivent.com and our Facebook page.

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Learn more! Visit thrivent.com to see our new brand come to life.


These are turbulent times. There’s no better time than now to create

or update your financial strategy.By Donna Hein

A Strategy in the Storm

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deeply what’s important to you, including your goals and values and how you live them out? Especially when it comes to finances? While no one can predict the future, it’s important to prepare for it. And that starts with purposely creating a plan that will help you through the ups and downs. Rob and Rene Hibbard met with their Thrivent financial professional, Cathleen Wenger of Austin, Texas, last summer to create a new financial plan that aligned with their goals and beliefs. It had been nearly 15 years since the couple, now in their 40s, had done their first plan, and there were many changes in their life during that time. They’re so glad they did. “It hit me when the market first went down and I saw my 401(k) dip,” says Rob. “But not as much as it would have before. I know we have a solid plan in place.” The Hibbards, from Round Rock, Texas, are confident their financial plan takes into account times such as these, when things don’t go as hoped. Rob works for General Motors in the IT area and faces possible job changes. Rene, with a legal background, is a stay-at-home mom to their two daughters, ages 12 and 7. Building their emergency fund was part of their plan. They knew they may need to use it at some point, but they didn’t expect a pandemic. “When we first built our emergency fund up, we held more in it than recommended,” Rene says. “We don’t have to worry if Rob were to lose his job, for example. We’d be OK for a while.”

Over the past three months, you’ve experienced a world you’ve never seen before. Record unemployment. Record stock market volatility. Stay-at-home orders. Concern for the health and well- being of family and friends. COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact—physically, financially, socially and emotionally. It’s a good time to just stop and take a deep breath. Has all the change been causing you to consider a little more

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Additional To-DosIn addition to your financial strategy, it’s critical to create or update your:1. Will: This document states how you want your property and assets

distributed.2. Durable power of attorney: This identifies who will make financial, legal

and tax decisions on your behalf should you be unable to make them yourself.

3. Advanced medical directive: This identifies whom you’ve authorized to make medical decisions for you when you can’t make them yourself. Medical directives such as a living will and health care power of attorney may differ from state to state.

Maybe you don’t have a financial strategy, and you wonder if now’s the right time to consider it. Read on for answers to some questions you may have.

What Is a Financial Strategy?It’s really a plan of how you manage your money today in order to meet your goals tomorrow. “It’s a path with a wide view that we hope to follow with normal variability in our lives, says Tom Hussian, advanced markets consultant at Thrivent. “But it also has contingencies with it to help us through hard times, such as downturns in the market, health risks, job losses, high medical bills.” It starts with a clear understanding of where you are financially today, says Neal Carlson, manager of Financial Planning at Thrivent. It sets where you want to be, including goals, values and dreams. And then, working with a financial professional, you can get there. “It’s about establishing a financial foundation that when you run into a time like today, that if something happens, you can know you’ll be OK for the next six, nine or 12 months,” Carlson says.

Where Do I Start?The most important place to begin is understanding what your goals are, says Cathleen Wenger, a Thrivent financial professional in Austin, Texas. It’s a

“If we have a good understanding of your family’s goals and values, then we can put the actions into place to achieve them,” Wenger says. “People are more likely to take action and reach their goals if we can tie it back to their why.” It’s also important, Hussian says, to understand your risk tolerance. “How much market volatility can you handle?” he asks. “And there also should be a discussion on other potential risks you may have, such as employment changes and family health history.” The Hibbards, who have an advisory relationship with Wenger, knew that with changes in their life, it was time to update their plan. “We felt we needed to readdress our plans for retirement, college funding for our children, and possibly caring for aging parents,” Rene says. Even though the couple had tweaked their plan over the years, such as adding insurance and increasing savings to retirement accounts, they

conversation about short-term goals, those things happening in the immedi-ate future. But then also looking at intermediate and long-term goals. It’s also important to understand how your faith and values play a role. All of this is achieved through asking questions, and your financial profes-sional listening to what’s important to you and why.

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The clients’ experiences may not be the same as other clients and does not indicate future performance or success.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Insurance products issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Thrivent and its financial professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

hadn’t really looked at how their strategy lined up with today’s goals. “Actually, we were worried we weren’t as close to our goals as we hoped,” Rene says.

Is a Financial Strategy for Me?Everyone can benefit from creating a financial strategy, Wenger says. Those who reach out for help are often the ones who don’t know where to start, are already doing something on their own, or want a second opinion, she says. Or it’s also people who are experiencing life transitions or new complexities in their life. One of the biggest myths is that a financial strategy is only for rich people, Carlson says. “People with limited resources and tight cash flow need planning the most,” he says. “They need the education that comes along with it as well as someone to come alongside them. Coaching and accountability is a big part of the value that financial professionals bring to their customers.”

What Difference Will a Strategy Make?If you’ve experienced something to make your outlook bleaker than before, it’s more important than ever to seek guidance from someone who can help you uncover opportunities and help protect you from further risks, Wenger says. “It’s about making sure you are being as efficient as possible with what you already have in place, protecting against risks that can be addressed,

and becoming more empowered with education around topics and questions that are relevant to today,” she says.

Is Now the Right Time?“There isn’t a better time than now to start the process, to begin talking to someone about how the events of today are impacting your life, family, goals and retirement,” Carlson says. “Going through a pandemic may change your goals, your values. But it also can help you achieve financial clarity.” In addition, you may be able to take advantage of a market recovery. And you’ll have reassurance for any future ups and downs. For the Hibbards, having a financial plan has pushed them to have more conversations with their kids about money, Rene says. “We’ve been honest with our children about our finances,” she says. “And during this time when we’re having those hard

conversations with our kids about why we can’t do something or spend money on that, they understand. “We share why it’s important to have an emergency fund, why it’s important to give, why it’s important to save, and why it’s important to spend wisely. They’ve seen with their eyes that mommy and daddy are trying to steward their resources well, and that we still have everything we need.” ◾

“It’s about establishing a financial foundation that when you run into a time

like today, you can know you’ll be OK for the next six, nine or 12 months.”

—Neal Carlson, manager of Financial Planning at Thrivent

Reach Out to Thrivent Ready to create or update your financial strategy? Thrivent offers a full range of financial services, including affordable fee-based planning. Get in touch with your Thrivent financial professional or contact the Thrivent Financial Guidance Team at 888-834-7434 or [email protected].


renda Gadow was just a week away from getting married when her bank called with bad news.

Someone had made a $600 online purchase of cosmetics using her debit/credit card account. And it wasn’t her. “I was shocked. The money was gone from my account, and the timing couldn’t have been worse,” says the Easton, Pennsylvania, Thrivent member. “We were paying for our wedding with cash. That money was needed to pay our vendors.” Gadowwasthevictimoffinancialfraud. Nationally, her experience is all too familiar. In 2019, 3.2 million reports offinancialfraudweremadetotheFederal Trade Commission (FTC).1 That’s an increase from 2018, when consum-ers made nearly 3 million reports, with losses of nearly $1.48 billion.1 Of the frauds reported in 2019, imposter scams—when a criminal claims to be someone else—topped the list.2 What can you do? It’s probably impossibletofullypreventfinancialfraud from happening. But there’s plenty you can do to decrease the chances of

becoming a victim or at least minimize the damage.

Understand the BasicsTherearemanywaysfinancialfraudcanhappen (more on that later), but they tend to fall into two general categories.

Identity theft. This occurs when someone steals another person’s personal information. “It happens in different ways, such as a data breach or stealing of paper documents with identifying information,” says Sharon Minta, director of compliance and

anti-moneylaunderingofficeratThrivent. “Stolen identity might lead to afinancialaccountbeingtakenoverbyan imposter. Fraudsters are also using synthetic identities, one that combines real personal information and some made-up information. Synthetic identities are created from stolen information from you or even your child.” In that case, fraudsters could open accounts or make transactions under your name. They also might use stolen identity information togetmedicalcare,filetaxesinyourname or access your insurance and investments.

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Learnhowfinancialfraudworks and what you can do to prevent it.By Kathleen Childers / Illustrations by David Saracino

On Guard

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vulnerable. “At Thrivent, similar to othersinthefinancialindustry,ourelderly population is being exploited,” Minta says. FTC stats back that up. In 2018, the median amount lost by people in their 70s who reported fraud to the FTC was $750 compared to $400 lost by people in their 20s.2

Know How Fraudsters WorkFinancial fraudsters try to steal your identity and money in a number of ways:¡Online transactions and account

management: If you make any transactions online—banking,

managing retirement accounts, making purchases—and a criminal somehow gains access to your personal information, it could be used to make illegal transactions, as Gadow experienced with her account before her wedding.

If you are planning to send personalorfinancialinformationonline, always look for the security lock icon on your internet browser's status bar before transmitting. Click thelocktoconfirmtheconnectionissecureandthecertificateisvalidto verify a safe transmission of your information.

¡Phone calls: Have you ever been called by someone asking for your credit card number to pay off a bill? Or maybe the person claims to be a long lost relative and wants you to send money. There are many, many variations of such scamming calls. One of the most popular ones right now is a caller who attempts to get you to tell them your Social Security number. Another is a caller claiming to be from the IRS stating that you owe back taxes that need to be paid immediately.

¡Emails: Scammers use what are called phishing emails to ask you to reply with personal information or to click on a link that could then secretly install malicious software (called malware) on your computer in hopes of accessing your personal information. “Such emails can be hard to detect,” says Molly Raisbeck, an information security analyst at Thrivent. “They’ve gotten sophisticated by becoming more personal and targeted. And they often follow the headlines in the news.” For example, the FTC recently reported that the Coronavirus pandemic has led to scammers setting up websites to sell bogus products, as well as sending fake emails and text messages to

Scams. Have you ever been asked to send money to someone you don’t know or to an organization that seems suspicious? Or maybe you’ve been told you have a loan that’s overdue, and you must send money immediately to avoid legal trouble. Or have you received calls from someone pretending to be a government agency? The stories change constantly, but they all have one thing in common: They’re scamming schemes, designed to get money from you. While no one seems to be immune fromfinancialfraudattempts,somegroups of people tend to be more �


try to get your money or personal information.3

¡Text messages: You might not expect to get phishing scam text messages—called smishing—but it happens. They’re similar to email requests, asking you to click on a link or reply with personal information.

Learn to Say NoHere’s how you can protect yourself when someone you don’t know asks for money or personal information by phone, email or text message:¡Don’t share sensitive data. Make

a commitment to never give any sensitive information over the phone, in texts or in emails. Keep in mind that the government never requests your Social Security number through such communications.

¡Be on guard with communications asking for money. That includes cash, checks, money orders and gift cards (a recent trend with scammers). If someone contacts you asking for donations for an organization you think is legitimate, look at the email address or other identifying information and make sure it’s legitimate. If you’re unsure, independently look up the number and call the organization to ask if they tried to contact you.

¡Don’t open suspicious emails and texts. “Be alert and delete any that come through that look suspicious or that you were not expecting,” says Raisbeck. If you do open one, don’t open any links that might be included.

Guard Your InformationBeing proactive is your best defense againstbecomingafinancialfraudvictim. Here are some suggestions:¡Check personal accounts frequently.

After her wedding tragedy, Gadow looks at her bank and credit accounts daily for unauthorized transactions.

She acknowledges that daily checks may be more frequent than necessary, but it makes her more comfortable right now given her experience.

Minta recommends carefully checkingyourfinancialaccountstatements when they become available for transactions you didn’t authorize. Experian recommends checking credit card statements at least monthly.4 And the FTC recommends you also check your health insurance plan statements to make sure the claims paid match the care you received.5

¡Protect your computer. The FTC recommends you install security software from a reliable source. Then

make sure it and your web browser are updated automatically.

¡Sign up for identity theft protection services. There are various services that offer protection for free or a fee. Thrivent clients have access to a couple of different programs (see “Financial Fraud Resources”).

¡Check your credit reports. Contact the three primary credit reporting agencies—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—and sign up for credit monitoring alerts. Review your credit reports annually.

¡Create electronic logins to accounts. “Even if you don’t want toaccessyourfinancialaccountsonline,” says Minta, “by creating a login and password, you’re preventing an imposter from doing it and possibly gaining access to your accounts.”

¡Create strong passwords. “Thrivent recommends using longer passphrases (15+ characters) instead of the typical shorter passwords if you can,” says Raisbeck. “If you do, the only time you’d need to change it is if someone learns your password, the account becomes compromised or you use the same password for multiple accounts.” It’s also a good

Reach Out to ThriventContactyourfinancialprofessional or call 800-Thrivent to:¡ Place alerts on your account

that raise awareness and assist Thrivent in protecting your accounts.

¡ Ask questions about an interaction that affects your Thrivent accounts.

Thrivent.com | 21

idea to use two-factor authentication when available. But don’t agree to have a site save your password. “Instead, use a secure, dedicated password management application,” says Raisbeck.

¡Use secure internet connections. Criminals can access your phone or computer from unsecured connec-tions. Make sure your home internet is secure, and limit use of public Wi-Fi to only those establishments that are trustworthy. When in doubt, connect to the internet with your phone’s hotspot, if possible.

¡Shred documents with personal information. You can buy a shredder and do it yourself, or pay a reputable shredding company to do it.

Report FraudWhile you might feel embarrassed about being a victim of fraud, it’s important that you don’t hide it. In fact, sharing what happened, and doing so quickly, doesn’t just protect you. It helps authorities track down fraudsters and alerts others so they can be watchful. And you may get resolution more quickly as well. Whenever you’re a victim of fraud or have concerns about having shared personal information, report it to all organizations where you have accounts, includingfinancialinstitutions,creditcardcompanies and Thrivent. They’ll advise you about what steps to take, including changing your passwords or freezing accounts. You also should contact:¡Local law enforcement. Fraud is a

crime, so the police in your community should know about it.

¡FTC. This government agency has a system in place so that you can quickly and easily make a report online (see link in sidebar).

¡Neighbors and friends. Consider sharing any fraud attempts you’ve experienced on social media or neighborhood websites, to caution

ProtectMyID or ProtectMyID Select® These programs are available at no cost oratasignificantdiscounttoThriventclients. They give you access to daily credit monitoring, identity theft resolu-tion agents, identity theft insurance and more. For information, go to thrivent.com/offers/identity-theft.html.

Identity Theft: What You Need to Know Workshop At this Thrivent workshop, you’ll learn more about how identity theft can occur and what you can do to safeguard your identity. For more information, go to morethanmoneymatters.com.

1 The Top Frauds of 2019. www.consumer.ftc.gov/

blog/2020/01/top-frauds-2019

2 Imposter Scams Top Complaints Made to

FTC in 2018. www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-

releases/2019/02/imposter-scams-top-complaints-

made-ftc-2018

3 Coronavirus: Scammers Follow the Headlines.

www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/02/coronavirus-

scammers-follow-headlines

4 Credit Card Fraud: What To Do If You’re A Victim.

www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/

credit-education/preventing-fraud/credit-card-fraud-

what-to-do-if-you-are-a-victim/

5 Five Ways to Help You Protect Your Identity

www.ftc.gov/news-events/audio-video/video/

five-ways-help-protect-your-identity

Member benefits and programs are not guaranteed contractual benefits. The interpretation of the provisions of these benefits and programs is at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Thrivent reserves the

right to change, modify, discontinue, or refuse to

provide any of the membership benefits or any part of them, at any time.

You should only purchase and keep insurance and

annuity products that best meet the financial security needs of you and your family and never purchase or

keep any insurance or annuity products to be eligible

for nonguaranteed membership benefits.

others to be on the watch. But be careful that you don’t unintentially share more of your information than you should.

Gadow’s wedding story had a happy ending. It took several hours of phone calls with her bank and the online retailer, but they returned the stolen funds to her account. She now uses separate credit cards for online purchases, keeps tabs on what types of scams are trending, regularly monitorsallofherfinancialaccountsand changes her passwords frequently. She’s also signed up for account alerts from credit bureaus and is alert to phone and email scams. “I thought I was savvy enough that it wouldn’t happen to me,” she says. “I learned my lesson so hopefully it won’t happen again.” ◾

Kathleen Childers is a freelance writer in Minnesota.

Financial Fraud ResourcesUse these resources to help you avoid becoming avictimoffinancialfraudandtoreportit.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) This government agency has online resources to help educate consumers aboutfinancialfraud.Itencouragesanyonewho’sbeenavictimoffinancialfraud to report it to the FTC using their online system. To report identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. To report other typesoffinancialfraud,fileacomplaintat ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

Credit reporting agencies Contact the three primary agencies—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion— to get your credit reports, or to place freezes on credit checks. Visit identitytheft.gov/creditbureaucontacts.


If you’ve played every board game in the house, it’s time to get creative with your family activities. Pinterest is a goldmine for out-of-the-box project ideas.∠ Make a scavenger hunt. Choose some

items from around the house to hide indoors or outdoors. Make a list of clues that lead you from one treasure to the next. If you have a big family, divide into groups.

∠ Tackle a creative project together. Do you have a big box of unorganized family photos? Now is the time to put them in scrapbooks or digitize them and share with other family members.

∠ Host a family talent show. Each family member can showcase a skill—maybe

it’s dancing, karate or singing. You could even record it and send it along to relatives who live out-of-town.

∠ If you aren’t able to see loved ones in person as much as you’d like, write letters and make cards to send to them.

∠ Take a digital field trip. Since museums and national parks have been closed for the past several months, some have created opportunities to explore them online, such as The Louvre, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yellowstone National Park.

∠ Make a time capsule. Put together a collection of memorable photos and items to bury in the backyard that you can dig up in years to come.

Summer is here, but it may look different than you expected. With COVID-19 sweeping the world, our lives have dramatically changed. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing have forced us to spend more time at home. You may have canceled your summer trip or family reunion. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy summer close to home. “Summer is an opportunity for experiences and memories,” says Alan O’Donnell, director of advice and financial planning at Thrivent. He encourages people to prioritize activities that mean the most to them by thinking about the memories they’re making. Here are some ideas for having fun this summer as a family.

After months of being cooped up inside, summer is a time to get out and explore. Plus, soaking up some vitamin D comes with a pretty low price tag. ∠ Encourage sunscreen over screen

time by cutting the cable cord and temporarily canceling streaming services.“Not only are you helping your wallet, but your family is also coming closer together. Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy your family rather than sitting in front of the TV,” says Dustin Miller, a Thrivent financial professional in DeKalb, Illinois.

∠ Whether the gyms are back open or not, take advantage of the summer weather and run outside on real pavement.

∠ Pending social distancing recommen-dations, “make a checklist of all the parks in your area and challenge your kids to go to each one,” says Britta Reder, senior vice president of market-ing at Thrivent Credit Union. “Then it’s as simple as packing a snack or a picnic, and it can be a fun adventure over the course of the whole summer.”

Creative ways to stay entertained close to home.By Taylor Hugo

UnexpectedSummer

Amp Up the Entertainment Indoors

Get Outside

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∠ Spend a weekend camping in your backyard. Immersing yourself in nature benefits both your physical and mental health.

∠ As a bonus to all this outdoor time, you’ll save money on energy costs since you won’t be home as much, and you can turn the air conditioner down, points out Zola Theodore, a Thrivent financial professional in Brooklyn, New York.

Eat healthy, save money and bond with your loved ones in the kitchen. ∠ Fire up the grill for a barbecue night

at home. Cook up some patties and links, then lay out all the toppings for a do-it-yourself “burger/hot dog bar.”

∠ Pack a picnic for your next family outing. “My kids love getting involved,” Reder says. “It could just be cheese, crackers and a summer sausage, but packing that up and taking it somewhere makes it more fun for them.”

∠ That $5 latte or $10 salad may not seem like much, but over time it adds up. Make it a goal to brew your own coffee and pack a lunch during the workweek.

∠ Fresh produce is at its peak in summer. Save money while supporting local businesses and farmers by shopping at your local farmers’ market or signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, where you pay a membership fee in exchange for fruits and veggies delivered weekly. Or if you want to flex your green thumb, start a garden in your backyard.

∠ Cut back on the money spent going out for ice cream by making your own frosty treats at home (see right). ◾

Taylor Hugo is a freelance writer in Colorado.

Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups Greek vanilla yogurt 3 Tbsp. bottled key lime juice 1 lime, zested and juiced 6 ice pop molds and craft sticks

Beat the HeatThere’s nothing like enjoying a refreshing treat on a hot day. With just a few simple ingredients, these homemade ice pops are delicious, healthy and easy to make.

Recipe by Karen Linden

Key Lime Ice PopsServings: 6

Directions:In medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, lime juices and zest. Divide the mixture between ice pop molds. Cover and insert craft stick. Freeze 4 hours or until firm.

Eat Well

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efore saying “I do,” you and your future spouse likely will have some great conversations: your likes and

dislikes, where you want to live, and even how many kids you’d like to have. You may even create a bucket list of places to go and things to do together. But have you talked about money? Not just how much you make or what you’ve saved. Go even deeper. How does your faith drive your money decisions? Are you a saver or a spender? Do you have a good credit score? How are each of you saving for retirement? What outstanding debt do you each bring into the marriage? And this is just the beginning of money talks you could—and we’d even go so far as to say you should—have with the one you love. Whether you’re 25 or 65, getting married for the first time or again, (or even if you’re already

married) getting in sync with your spouse about money is critical for reducing conflict and establishing a solid financial future. Read on for tips from two Thrivent member couples and their Thrivent financial professionals about how you can get on the same page about being wise stewards of God’s generous gifts.

1. Do a money autobiographyNo, you don’t have to write a book. But it’s important to learn your partner’s money history, says Ethan Hulme, Thrivent financial profes-sional in Edmond, Oklahoma. Hulme suggests questions like: What are your earliest memories about money? How did your parents handle money? Did you talk about money in your home? “Knowing your spouse’s history with money allows you to understand where the other person is coming from,” he says. “Then it’s

Strategies for newlyweds to establish a solid financial futureBy Donna Hein / Photos by Mike Morgan & Simon Hurst

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When Love and Money Come Together

How Thrivent Can HelpTalk to a Thrivent financial professionalIf you’re looking for guidance on purposeful financial goal setting and financial protection for your family, get in touch with your Thrivent financial professional or contact the Thrivent Financial Guidance Team at 888-834-7434 or [email protected].

Lead a Thrivent workshopThrivent has several workshops available that you can host in your home, church or community. You simply order a kit for $20. Topics include:• Setting SMART Goals• Values-based Budgeting• From Me to We Visit morethanmoneymatters.com or contact your Thrivent financial professional for more information.

easier to move forward and find the values you hold as a couple.” Thrivent members Mark and Darlene Scowden, of Yukon, Oklahoma, each brought money habits from previous marriages into their relationship. “We had a lot of discussions about who was going to pay the bills, which bank accounts to keep, and which credit cards to have,” Mark says. “She knew what worked for her and what didn’t, and so did I. We kept the good stuff and stayed away from the rest. We talked, and with compromise, worked together to make decisions.”

2. Establish joint goalsIn order to achieve financial clarity, it’s important to know where you are now and where you want to go, says Ann Seitz-Brown, a Thrivent financial profes-sional in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. “Do a financial snapshot—what’s coming in, what’s going out and what’s the difference” says Seitz-Brown. “If you don’t have a good idea of what you’re spending, track it for a month or two.” Then together set purposeful goals in areas such as establishing an emergency fund; paying down credit cards, student loans or other debt; and saving for retirement, she says. Also set giving goals—including both nonfinancial (time and talents) and financial (treasures) ways to give back. Setting goals has been key for Thrivent members, Tyler and Abbi Null

of York, Pennsylvania. They viewed money differently, and they kept their finances separate, but they still were able to set mutual goals. “We’ve made great strides in learning how to take care of our money and make good decisions based on our goals,” Abbi says. “If we have extra money, it’s being used to lessen debt. We’ve bought a house and have a newer, used car.”

3. Set up a saving and spending planYes, it’s the “budget” word—and it’s

vital to discuss. Setting up a budget starts with your financial snapshot, and then assigning a name to each dollar, says Seitz-Brown. Essentially, it’s identifying exactly where each dollar you earn will be used. It’s purposeful spending. But even if you don’t create a perfect balance sheet, she says, you need to ask: “Is this what we want to be spending, and how does it align with our goals and our faith?” A big struggle for couples can be when one is a saver and the other a spender, says Seitz-Brown. Or when one has debt and the other doesn’t. It can be a struggle to build trust. You may have to set limits on what’s OK to spend without running it by the other person. “Everyone should have a spending plan,” Seitz-Brown says. “How are you going to manage your resources, direct them in ways that help and support yourself and others?” Tyler Null admits that early in their marriage, he had more the attitude of “if I don’t act like it’s


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“In order to achieve financial clarity, it’s important to know

where you want to go. Do a financial snapshot.”

—Ann Seitz-Brown, Thrivent financial professional

Thrivent.com | 27

Meet Mark and DarleneMark and Darlene Scowden have been married for seven years. It’s a second marriage for the Yukon, Oklahoma, couple. Mark became a widower at age 60, and Darlene was divorced at age 55, after 39½ years of marriage. They met online. When they decided to get married, the money talks began. Each was the bill payer in their previous marriages. She preferred cash, he preferred credit card and checkbook. She paid bills online, and he wrote checks. “We had to compromise,” Darlene says. Mark adds: “She pays some of the bills, and I pay others. We pretty much use a joint account, but Darlene wanted to keep one with some money in it. She uses it for the online bills she pays.”

Marital success tips from the Scowdens:1. Be nosy about finances. Know what each is bringing into the relationship in terms of money reserves and debt.2. Figure out who’s going to pay the bills and how they’re going to be paid, such

as writing checks or paying online.3. Set a spending limit and ask before you make a purchase over a certain

amount.4. Decide on choices such as eating out, cable TV, etc.5. Talk to each other and your financial team about how to handle end-of-life

finances, such as wills and trusts. Do your due diligence on the front end.

there, I don’t have to deal with it.” Abbi was the saver. That all changed when Tyler learned Abbi was pregnant in early 2019. “When I found out Michael was coming, I mapped out all our expenses and what we needed to save,” says Tyler. “Being able to understand our money coming in and going out in every aspect has helped us get on the same page.” Now he writes everything down—and their budget has helped them handle the extra bills that arrived with Michael.

4. Protect your financial futureThere are several steps you can take to protect your financial future. You’ll want to look at your employers’ retirement plans, including investment options and the employer match. Make sure you’re contributing enough to the plan or plans with a match to receive the full value of the match. Don’t forget your auto and health insurance options. Check if you have adequate coverage and if it makes financial sense to combine them with your spouse. What if one of you were to get sick or become disabled, or if one of you would die? “You should review benefits such as life insurance and disability income insurance that you may receive from work,” Seitz-Brown says. “Is it enough?” You’ll want to talk to your financial professional to make sure. Also, update the beneficiary designation on any existing life insurance contracts or investments. “We had to ask the hard questions,” says Darlene Scowden. “It is hard for couples to sit down and talk about retirement, sickness and death. But we also don’t want to leave each other or our children with the heartache of dealing with it after we are gone.”Ph

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5. Set the next money talk and celebrateSo, you’ve gotten off to a good start with your money conversation. You’ve set some goals, created a spending plan and now all is good, right? Not so fast. It’s important for the two of you to set up a dedicated time to discuss your finances, says Hulme. It may be to just stay in sync with the regular bills or to discuss unexpected expenses. Or perhaps it’s time to do a little dreaming of vacations or home projects for which you’d like to save. “Sporadic conversations may lead to frustration and inaction,” Hulme says. “Set up a time—it could be weekly, monthly or quarterly, whatever works for you—to continue to talk about your finances and goals. It’s a good idea to find a neutral, non-threatening place and time to talk, maybe over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Encourage one another for wise decisions you each make. You’ve worked together to figure out your financial goals—so don’t forget to celebrate along the way your successes of being wise stewards of God’s generous gifts. For the Nulls, the process of discussing money has gotten easier, and they’re even participating in a money workshop. “We sometimes reflect on the poor financial decisions we’ve made,” Tyler says. “But we’ve also learned from them and have no plans to repeat them.” ◾

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, client FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Meet Tyler and AbbiTyler and Abbi Null of York, Pennsylvania, were on opposite ends of the money spectrum when they got married nearly five years ago. While paying bills on time was always first priority for the high school sweethearts, they differed on how the rest of their money was spent. Abbi was budget conscious, while Tyler didn’t really pay attention. Money arguments caused them to keep their finances separate, with each bearing the responsibility for certain shared expenses. However, when baby Michael joined the family last September, their financial habits changed for the better.

Marital success tips from the Nulls:1. Be open and talk about money as much as possible. Learn about your

spouse’s background with money.2. Use credit cards sparingly and commit to paying off in full each month.3. Know what’s coming in and going out.4. Don’t make emotional decisions; create a plan before moving forward.5. Don’t let money control you. It’s a discussion that needs to be had, but it’s

not the end of the world if something isn’t working right in this moment. Phot

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Thrivent.com | 29

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of uncertainty, and people across the country quickly acted to protect themselves and to help others. Thrivent and its members were no exception. “As always, but especially now, we are committed to serving our members, clients and their families,” says Terry Rasmussen, Thrivent president and CEO. “Rest assured, Thrivent is a strong and stable diversified financial services organization that is well-positioned to not

only weather but thrive during this storm. Our strong capital and surplus positions will allow us to deliver on our past and future commitments to our clients.”

Here’s a brief synopsis of how Thrivent responded to COVID-19:For our clients:¡Thrivent has offered an extended grace

period for life and health insurance products to help clients through the impacts of

Thrivent’s Response to COVID-19

(Continued on page 30)

Thrivent members across the U.S. support their communities during the pandemic: decorating windows in Stonyford, California; sewing masks in Hettinger, North Dakota; writing encouragement notes in Chandler, Arizona; packing gift bags for delivery by Meals on Wheels in Overland Park, Kansas; and assembling disinfectant kits in Le Sueur, Minnesota.

What’s Happening at Thrivent



coronavirus. Thrivent hasn't lapsed a contract due to nonpayment of premiums during the pandemic.

¡Thrivent Credit Union offered assistance and resources to those who have or may be experiencing financial hardships.

For the workforce:¡Thrivent has an action plan to

demonstrate care for the workforce. It includes: a work-from-home require-ment for most positions that began March 23. Thrivent financial profes-sionals are using technology to meet virtually with members.

¡All non-essential travel has been canceled, and Thrivent has established a quarantine policy.

¡Meetings and events have been transitioned to virtual engagements if possible; others were canceled or postponed.

For our members and communities:¡Thrivent Member Network events

have been held virtually when possible. Events that could only be held in person have been postponed or canceled.

¡Thrivent has extended all Thrivent Action Teams originally scheduled for March, April or May, offering additional time to complete events.

¡As of the end of May, the amazing generosity and action of more than 46,000 Thrivent members, along with their friends, family and neighbors, generated nearly $13 million of much-needed financial support to more than 17,000 non-profit organizations and churches around the country.

To learn more about Thrivent’s efforts, visit thrivent.com.

Thrivent’s Ethical Culture Recognized by the Ethisphere Institute

Thrivent is proud to be named for the ninth year in a row as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. The organization is one of 132 honorees in 2020 and one of only five honorees in the financial services category. This recognition honors companies that set global standards for business integrity and corporate citizenship. President and CEO Terry Rasmussen said this honor is a testament to Thrivent’s ethical culture of doing the right thing. “I’m grateful for our workforce who

make a daily commitment to put our values into action,” Rasmussen says. “It’s because of them that we’re able to fulfill our promise of helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude.” For more information on the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies, visit ethisphere.com.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. For details, visit Ethisphere.com.

Fortin Joins Thrivent as Chief Commercial Officer

Mary Jane Fortin joins Thrivent on July 6 as senior vice president and chief commercial officer. Fortin will play an integral role in Thrivent’s transformation into a customer-centric organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. “Mary Jane has everything I was looking for in this key role,” says Thrivent president and CEO Teresa Rasmussen. “Her depth of financial services expertise, her experience leading multiple distribution channels, and her passion for our organization’s purpose make her a perfect fit for Thrivent.” Fortin will have responsibility for all commercial operations of Thrivent:

distribution; product management; life, health and annuity product operations; and national community and membership engagement. Fortin is a highly regarded industry leader with a proven track record of success. She comes to Thrivent from Allstate, where she last served as president of Allstate Financial Businesses. She’s also held senior leadership roles at several other financial services organizations, including AIG and The Hartford.

(Thrivent’s Response to COVID-19 continued from page 29)

Thrivent.com | 31


Introducing Two New Thrivent Board Members

The Thrivent Board of Directors appointed two new members to the organization’s governing body, and their terms began in February. The board can appoint others into appoint-ive positions based upon skills sets, experience and overall board needs. Deborah Ackerman, of Wilmette, Illinois, is co-founder and senior advisor to Twin Bridge Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago. She is former chair of the Illini Leadership Council, and previously served as director and executive chair of the Thrivent Member Network–Chicagoland Region. In addition, Ackerman is an active leader at her church where she is a deacon, Sunday school teacher and liturgist. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana with a B.S. in finance, and she has an MBA in finance from the Kellogg School of Management. Angela Rieger, of Madison, Wisconsin, is senior vice president of planning and head of interna-tional at Lands’ End. She currently

Reserve Your Calendar by July 31If you haven’t pre-ordered your Thrivent wall calendar, it’s time to do so! The 2021 calendar—which is available at no cost to Thrivent members—features member-submitted photos, artwork, Scripture passages and reflections on the theme “Gratitude.” Its beautiful photos and words will inspire you throughout the year. To order the calendar, visit thrivent.com/calendar or return the reply card found in this issue of the magazine. (Limit one free calendar per member; additional copies will be available to purchase at a later time.) All pre-orders must be received by July 31, 2020; calendars will ship by the end of September.

is on the board of Women in Retail Leadership Circle and is a mentor for Building Brave. She previously served as executive chair for the Thrivent Member Network–South Wisconsin Region and was on the boards of Doyenne and the Edgewood Athletic Association. She received her B.S. in organizational leadership from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois, Urbana. “We’re thrilled to welcome Debbie and Angie to the board,” says Terry Rasmussen, president and CEO of Thrivent. “They are passionate about supporting Thrivent’s mission and helping people achieve greater financial clarity. I’m confident they will help us transform our organization in new and exciting ways.”

Learn more about all Thrivent’s board members at thrivent.com/governance.

AM Best recently affirmed Thrivent’s A++ (Superior) rating as well as its stable outlook. This rating is the highest of the agency’s 16 ratings categories. Given the current economic environment, this rating is especially significant and important to our clients. It means Thrivent is a strong and stable organization, ready to serve you and deliver on its financial promises. In its review, AM Best identified several positive factors that contributed to Thrivent’s rating. In particular, the agency recognized Thrivent for its balance sheet strength, strong operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management in a challenging environment. They also noted Thrivent’s high-quality capital structure which utilizes no debt and fully retains product-related risks on its balance sheet. Finally, they cited the organization’s loyal membership base and continued efforts to grow.

These ratings reflect Thrivent’s overall financial strength and claims-paying ability but do not apply to the investment performance of investment products.

AM Best Affirms Thrivent Rating


Just for Fun

Ref lecting What are your favorite summertime activities? Write your answer below.

Draw the PictureCopy the picture of the hands and heart using the grid to guide you. It may be easier to copy one square at a time. Then, color your masterpiece!

Solve the BrainteasersA rebus is a picture representation of a word or phrase. Can you solve these visual word puzzles?

STA4NCE

+DRESSFIT FITFIT FIT

ESROH RIDING

PO NDFISH

GSEG GGSEESGG SGEG

TEG

GO

Answers (L-R, top to bottom): For instance, Horseback riding, Forfeit, Address, Neon lights, Scrambled eggs, Get up and go, Big fish in a small pond

KNEELIGHTS

Thrivent.com

Before You GoHow is your faith guiding your response to these times of uncertainty?

4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919-0001

Summer 2020 | Volume 118 | No. 695 | 21837 R6-20

Thrivent Magazine

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Invested in a different kindof wealth.Thrive with Purpose™

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